Sebastian Inlet Ospreys & More BAA In-the-Field Sessions

What’s Up?

I headed down to the lake early on a hot hazy Monday morning at Indian Lake Estates. The wind was fairly strong from the south and there was not much to photograph other than some of the local Sandhill Cranes. There was one four month old colt with its parents but they all flew away. It looks as if the summer photographic doldrums are here.

I got back to work on my taxes and am pretty much finished (good). But I cannot find my collection of 2024 interest and investment statements, the ones that say, “Important tax information” on the envelope (bad). I will resume my efforts to find the stuff after I get back from the lake.

Today is Tuesday 8 July 2025. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.

If an item — a Delkin flash card, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If, like Stan DeTurris and Abe Curland most recently, you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me somewhere in the field, consider the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), a San Diego IPT for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh mid-March 2026, please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. All offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility on most trips.

This image was created on 27 October 2023 at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 800; 1/3200 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:29:59 am on a mostly sunny morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Viewing the Sebastian Composites below

Be sure to click on each composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Osprey with Mullet; Mullet school under attack from below; Wood Stork landing; Tarpon jumping; Reddish Egret landing; Osprey turning to begin dive; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Sebastian Inlet in Fall

Sebastian Inlet in the fall attracts schools of migrating saltwater fish that in turn attract dozens of Ospreys — we’ve counted 61 in the air at once, along with hordes of hungry birds including Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, and Laughing Gull. Other species of birds feed on smaller baitfish; those include Wood Stork, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue heron, Little Blue Heron, and White Ibis. Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone are easily photographed. American Avocet is an uncommon visitor. Rare gulls have included Lesser Black-backed Gull (all ages), Franklin’s Gull (first winter), and in 2024, a spectacular young Sabine’s Gull that remained for several weeks.

As this location provides world class action for at least two months each year, bird photographers travel to Florida’s East Coast from all over the planet. You are invited not only to join me but to learn a ton about bird photography. Remember that the more time you spend at great locations, the more chance you have to enjoy perfect weather conditions and opportunities that leave you in awe.

The shared AirBnB approach has proven to be tremendously popular and is hugely beneficial to learning.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Sanderling flock bird-scape blur; Royal Tern with large baitfish; Brown Pelican diving silhouette; 1-second breaking wave blur; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden blur; Osprey in flight/full downstroke; Snowy Egret/double overhead wingstretch. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

2025 BIRDS AS ART Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More In-the-Field Sessions

Available Dates: Friday 26 September (arrive on Thursday 25 September) thru the morning session on Mon 24 November 2025.
Limit: four photographers.

In 2024, I had an AirBnB in Vero Lake Estates for 26 nights. I had so much fun and enjoyed so many great opportunities that I am returning next fall for two full months; the AirBnB is just 22 minutes from the inlet.

Getting There

You can fly to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and rent a car or fly to Melbourne International Airport (MEL) and explore the possibility of airport pick-up and drop-off or a taxi or uber ride to and from the AirBnB. Rides with me are available for $15/day on a space available basis. Folks who ride with me do not need to purchase a park pass but will need to kick in $2.00/day when we are charged.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey diving; Osprey with menhaden; Brown Pelican with Yellow-tailed Menhaden in bill pouch; Sabine’s Gull/juvenile top shot; Osprey landing on Cabbage Palm stump; Wood Stork sunrise silhouette; American Avocet running with wings raised; Osprey diving with talons outstretched; Peregrine with wings fully raised. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What You Will Learn

1- First and foremost you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better.

2- You will learn to shoot flight hand held and off the tripod.

3-You will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button.

4- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it.

5- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially (but not limited to) the photography of birds in flight.

6- You will learn to select the best shutter speeds for all types of bird photography, from flight and action to pleasing blurs.

7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.

8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.

9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.

10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.

11- You will learn to choose the best perspective.

12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.

13- You will learn to see and understand the light.

14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.

15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event.

16- You will learn pro level tripod handling tips

17- During our image review sessions, you will learn the factors that separate insta-deletes, keepers, and family jewels. With general bird photography those include head angle, subject-to-sensor plane orientation, choice of perspective, the quality of the light, the quality of the background, image sharpness, and the image design. When evaluating photos of birds in flight, you must — in addition to the above, consider wing positions and flight poses.

18- You will improve your image optimization skills by leaps and bounds and will return home with a collection of image optimization videos.

The very best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever you are and whenever you photograph.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey overhead with bunker; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey chase; Great Egret with pinfish; Osprey emerging with flounder; Great Egret taking flight; Osprey kiting; 1/8 second sunrise Atlantic Ocean blur. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Trip Costs and Booking Details

Change Your Life

Book any 3-6 Days: Lodging is $175/night. Instruction is $600/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are usually daily.

Please note: Folks who sign up for an odd number of days of instruction will enjoy half + 1 afternoon sessions (more are possible if conditions are good) Those who sign up for an even number of days will enjoy at least 1/2 that number of afternoon shooting sessions (more are possible if conditions are good)

Book any 7-10 Days: Lodging is $160/night. Instruction is $575/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Book any 11-14 Days: Lodging is $150/night. Instruction is $550/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Book any three weeks: Lodging is $130/night. Instruction is $525/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Stay for one month (28 nights): Lodging is $120/night. Instruction is $500/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Stay two months (60 nights): Lodging is $100/night. Instruction is $475/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Brunch is on me. Dinners are provided for $20/day. I am an excellent chef and the food both healthy and of high quality.

Please note: your day of arrival is not a day of instruction.

Deposit Information

A non-refundable deposit by check is required to hold your spot. The amount will be 50% of the total for lodging, instruction, and meals. Please make the check out to:

BIRDS AS ART

And send it via US Mail to

BIRDS AS ART
PO Box 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855

Your balance, payable by check only as above, is due two months before your arrival date.

I hope to spend some quality time with you at Sebastian Inlet in the fall of 2025. If you have any questions, please get in touch via e-mail or with a text to 863-221-2372.

with love, artie

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.